Who Was The Original Owner Of The Cowboys

So, you're curious about who owned the Dallas Cowboys before they became America's Team, huh? Well, buckle up, 'cause we're about to dive into a little history lesson, Texas-style. Grab a cold drink, get comfy, and let's chat about the original owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

Clarence "Cactus Jack" Jackson: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Our story begins in the 1950s, when the National Football League (NFL) was just a baby, waddling around in its diapers. The Dallas Cowboys, as we know them today, didn't exist yet. But there was this guy, Clarence "Cactus Jack" Jackson, a local oil tycoon with more money than he knew what to do with (sound familiar, Dallas?).

Jackson was a real character, folks. He was a Texas native, born and raised, and he had this larger-than-life personality that just screamed "Lone Star State." He was a big fan of football, too, and he had this crazy idea. He thought, "Hey, Dallas needs its own NFL team. Why not me?" And just like that, the Dallas Cowboys were born.

How Much Did It Cost To Start An NFL Team Back Then?

You might be wondering, "How much did it cost to start an NFL team back in the day?" Well, it wasn't as much as you'd think. In fact, it was a mere $600,000. That's right, for the price of a decent house in Dallas today, you could've bought an entire NFL team back then. Can you imagine?

Now, don't go running off to the bank to apply for a loan just yet. The NFL had a little something called the "50-50" rule back then. It meant that half of the team's profits had to go back into the team itself. So, while Jackson might've owned the Cowboys, he didn't exactly get to keep all the profits. Bummer, right?

Dallas Cowboys Ownership History Timeline - Infoupdate.org

The First Game: A Disaster, But A Fun One

The Cowboys' first game was a bit of a disaster. They played against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960, and let's just say the Steelers didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for their new rivals. The Cowboys lost 35-28, but hey, at least they scored some points, right?

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what happened to old Cactus Jack?" Well, Jackson owned the Cowboys until 1984, when he sold the team to a group of investors for a cool $60 million. Not bad for a team that started with a price tag of just $600,000, huh?

Who Was The Original Owner Of The Dallas Cowboys? - The Football Xpert

Leaving A Legacy

Jackson might've sold the team, but his legacy lived on. He was the one who started the Dallas Cowboys, the team that would go on to become America's Team. He was the one who brought NFL football to Dallas, and he was the one who laid the foundation for the team's success.

So, the next time you're watching the Cowboys play, remember old Cactus Jack. Remember the man who had a crazy idea, who turned it into a reality, and who left a legacy that's still going strong today. And hey, if you ever find yourself with a few hundred million dollars lying around, you might just want to consider buying an NFL team. Just saying.

And there you have it, folks. The story of the original owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Isn't history fun? Now, who's ready for some football?